FIRE SAFETY FEATURE


Could better smoke ventilation improve fire prevention in industrial buildings?


I


n response to a number of fires at UK industrial sites, Whitesales is keen to raise awareness of the importance of restricting the air flow that fuels fires, and extracting the smoke that takes lives. The waste and recycling industry has suffered a number of fires and


industrial and warehouse buildings are also at risk of being involved in fires. While the majority of firms operate as safely as possible and undertake all necessary fire prevention strategies, accidents can still happen. One of the most important fire safety planning measures a building or business owner can take is to specify the right smoke ventilation system and products. However, waiting until undertaking a full refurbishment could well prove to be a false and dangerous economy. Installing electronically controlled smoke ventilation systems, sited in key areas and linked to a central control panel and a network of sensors, is fundamental to protecting property and lives. Smoke vents and louvre windows can be fitted ot most flat or profiled roofs to extract heat and smoke to reduce fire spread and damage


A LIFE-SAVING SOLUTION? Shanks Waste Management’s mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant in Rainham suffered a blaze in 2014 that took 81 firemen more than 24 hours to bring under control. To ensure that any future incident would be less costly, the copmany asked Whitesales to assess the existing smoke ventilation arrangement and design a better system. The companies worked together with a contractor to create a safer system that satisfied best practice and met all codes of practice and regulations. The rebuilt treatment centre now features a combination of high- security Es-Vent single-leaf smoke vents, with impact-resistant polycarbonate glazing for maximum natural light, and Es-Louvre smoke vents – all linked into the building management system. This means that the interior storage area is now daylit. The vents can


also be opned to help regulate interior temperatures and allow fresh air circulation. Most importantly, however, in the event of fire, the lsmoke vents will rapidly extract choking smoke and fumes, giving employees more time to safety evaculate the building in the event of a fire.


ADDING VALUE Increasing passive comfort ventilation and introducing natural light adds value to any smoke ventilation system, but the most important factor is, of course, safety. It is vital that plant and warehouse managers seek out confirmation that their existing smoke ventilation is not just suitable for the size and configuration of their buildings, but that each component achieves Building Regulation ADB and ADL compliance and EN 12101-2 Smoke Regulations certification.


Whitesales www.whitesales.co.uk T: 01483 271371


OM SMALL TO LARGE STANDARD TO COMPLEXDT C


FROM SMALL TO LAR TA


ARD O OMPLEX


-TEK has been designing and selling electrical enclosures and junction


CE-T has been design hazardous area en


enclosures and junction bo Our enclosuresha e a p


Our enclosures have a proven design history and are installed in a wide range of commercial and onments and include:nments and include:


ning and selling electrical nboxesfor over 35 years. pr


e installed in a wide range of c hazardous area environ


steel and aluminium enclosures. per


ABS, polycarbonat e, pollyester (GRP), stainless/ closures.


ubmersion.


S, polycarbonate, polyester (GRP), stainless/mild steel and aluminium enc


Off the shelf polyester and aluminium IP68 enclosures to 3 metre manent su


Off the shelf polyester and aluminium IP68 enclosures to 3 metre permanent submersion.


Polyester and stainless steel fire rated junction boxes ead times.


olyester and stainless steel fire rated junction bo areavailable on shortle


IP20 to IP68 om 1m to 3000m) custom build/special 0mm toany sizeare K to order.


IP20 to IP68 (from 1m to 3000m) custom build/special sizes up from 80x80x30 manuf


e a ailable on short lead times. (fr


es up from 80x80x30mm o any size ar manufactured in the UK


Industrial and Ex cable glands including: Metric, PG and T thr


Industrial and Ex cable glands including: Metric, PG and NPT threads


tured in the UK to or g


We also offer machining, terminal assembly and paint options.


options. Call us toda all us today w ouy with yithyour Ex enclosure/ca equirementsor sa e this requirements or save this advert for your future projects


ur Ex enclosur /c ble gland s adv


CE-T CONTROLS & ENCL , TIDE YSHIRE. SK17 8NY HIRE. SK17 8NY


A view from the roof of Shanks Waste Management’s mechanical biological treatment plant in Rainham following installation of a smoke ventillation solution


/ INDUST RAL COMPA RI CE 01298 8 www.ce 01298 872233 ce-tek.co.uk INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE | SUMMER 2016 11 t for your futureprojec CE-T K TEK


CONTROLS&ENCLOSURES TECHNIK LS TECHNIK LT TIDESWELL BUSIN


LTD


WELL BUSINESS PNESS PARK, TIDESWELL, DERBYSH


cable gland e also offer machining, terminal assembly and paint d


s for o er 35 years. en design history and cial and


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28